A systematic literature review of sport and physical activity participation in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrant populations

Cultural influences on exercise participation and fall prevention: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

PURPOSE

We aim to provide a systematic review of qualitative research evidence relevant to the experiences and perceptions of program providers and participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds regarding (i) exercise and (ii) fall prevention programs for older people.

METHOD

Using a narrative synthesis approach, we reviewed published journal articles reporting qualitative data. Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted to identify 19 publications that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 16 discussed exercise and three focused on broader fall prevention programs. However, no studies were identified that explored the perspective of the program providers.

RESULTS

An overarching theme emerged identifying the influence of cultural values and perceptions on program participation. Also, identified were motivational, social and environmental influences.

CONCLUSION

Exercise and fall prevention interventions need to be culturally appropriate and utilise the positive influences of social support, especially from physicians and family. While these findings can be used to inform the delivery of programs to these population groups, future studies should focus specifically on experiences and perceptions of older CALD people of fall prevention programs as well as the perspectives of program providers. Implications for Rehabilitation Program participation is influenced by cultural values and motivational, social and environmental factors. The meaning and importance of exercise can vary between and within cultures. Exercise and fall prevention interventions need to be culturally appropriate and utilise the positive influences of social support, especially from physicians and family. Providing information that falls can be prevented and the reasons why behaviours need to change will be more likely to encourage older people from CALD backgrounds to contemplate participation.

Social inequalities in young children's sports participation and outdoor play

Background

Research on social inequalities in sports participation and unstructured physical activity among young children is scarce. This study aimed to assess the associations of family socioeconomic position (SEP) and ethnic background with children’s sports participation and outdoor play.

Methods

We analyzed data from 4726 ethnically diverse 6-year-old children participating in the Generation R Study. Variables were assessed by parent-reported questionnaires when the child was 6 years old. Low level of outdoor play was defined as outdoor play <1 hour per day. Series of multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations of family SEP and ethnic background with children’s sports participation and outdoor play.

Results

Socioeconomic inequalities in children’s sports participation were found when using maternal educational level (p < 0.05), paternal educational level (p < 0.05), maternal employment status (p < 0.05), and household income (p < 0.05) as family SEP indicator (less sports participation among low SEP children). Socioeconomic inequalities in children’s outdoor play were found when using household income only (p < 0.05) (more often outdoor play <1 hour per day among children from low income household). All ethnic minority children were significantly more likely to not to participate in sports and play outdoor <1 hour per day compared with native Dutch children. Adjustment for family SEP attenuated associations considerably, especially with respect to sports participation.

Conclusion

Low SEP children and ethnic minority children are more likely not to participate in sports and more likely to display low levels of outdoor play compared with high SEP children and native Dutch children, respectively. In order to design effective interventions, further research, including qualitative studies, is needed to explore more in detail the pathways relating family SEP and ethnic background to children’s sports participation and outdoor play.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-014-0155-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.